From Refugee to Mayor: Bosnian Woman Leads Norwegian Town

Sadmira Buljubašić, originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, now serves as the mayor of Røros, Norway, after arriving as a refugee in 1995. Her family fled first to Slovenia and Croatia before being resettled in Norway due to her father’s health.

Buljubašić emphasizes the importance of maintaining her Bosnian identity, its “sevdah and humor”, while integrating into Norwegian society. She built a career in healthcare, becoming a health worker in 2020, and entered local politics, eventually being elected mayor in October 2025.

Buljubašić notes the strong civic engagement in Røros, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where residents actively participate in local governance. Currently, she prioritizes the financial stability of the municipality while ensuring support for vulnerable citizens and fostering integration for new arrivals.

She also observes a growing trend of right-wing politics globally, though this is less pronounced in her town. Buljubašić hopes to create better opportunities for young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, so they do not feel compelled to leave their homeland.